According to new reports, Ubisoft's oft-maligned DRM is so zealous in its protection of software that it cannot tell the difference between a new computer and a new graphics card. Yep, if you switch out some of your computer's hardware, the DRM will supposedly think you're trying to install Ubisoft games on a new machine.
The issue was discovered by Guru3D when performing benchmarking tests with Anno 2070. The game had been installed on three computers (the activation limit allowed by Ubi's DRM) but when they replaced the nVida GTX 580 with a GTX 590, the game stopped working. It demanded re-activation, which was promptly refused due to install limits.
In order to perform its usual tests, Guru3D would have needed to buy Anno 2070 seven times. It emailed Ubisoft to ask for an activation reset (which Ubi claims it can do), but has heard nothing back. Understandably, the outlet is pretty sure it won't be reviewing Ubisoft titles anymore.
Ubisoft's DRM didn't need anymore bad press, let alone press this ridiculous. This is just another reason to cease considering Ubisoft's PC ports as real games. As soon as we all agree that Ubisoft isn't a PC publisher, and ignore its rubbish ports, we can all move on happier.
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Contest:
9:00 AM on 01.17.2012 | 
trollbisoft
I'm sure that will work for everyone... not.
This is just another reason to cease considering Ubisoft's PC ports as real games. As soon as we all agree that Ubisoft isn't a PC publisher, and ignore its rubbish ports, we can all move on happier.
Uh, Jim, Anno 2070 is a PC exclusive, not a port, so that's kind of a weird thing to say here lol. But yeah, Ubisoft sucks.
Your right, the developers are really amazing guys... however the publishers that are supposed to deal with the bullshit DRM that is forced onto these games (let's face it there is better DRM out there) are shitting the bed. Nobody was attacking the developers of this game so I'm not sure what your point is.
Is Ubisoft let off the hook because the developer of the game still have human hearts and those feelings that Ubisoft has cast of long ago? No! They can go rot in a ditch for what they do to these otherwise good games.
Come up with a better system UbiSoft
http://www.gameexchangeshop.com
I guess it's why I haven't purchased one of their PC titles since 2008 (Prince of Persia, and it was DRM free... I made sure to buy a copy). I wish I could say I haven't purchased any titles from them period, but well... I wasn't skipping Child of Eden. :/
Your point? Bluebyte was nice enough to take care of the issue for them, but that has no bearing on the fact that this problem shouldn't exist in the first place and that Ubisoft is to blame. Also, Bluebyte helped them by unlocking their key for unlimited installations. They won't be doing that for you or I, so that's not the solution we're looking for.
Whatever... it's not like I don't already have too many games to play...
2. Customers Refuse to buy it
3. Ubisoft blames it on piracy decides the only way to fix it is to add more DRM
agreed just because the developers aren't total asshats doesn't mean that their publisher isn't poison.
Freddie is dissapointed
Yeah it will run on PC and is a PC exclusive, but it's their attitude that matters almost more than those things. And I would say, does matter more.
Also, everyone extend a warm welcome to Cudgeon, our new resident SOPA/PIPA troll. Fun times for all.
Pissing off your existing costumers with crappy DRM and other annoying "anti-piracy" BS tactics will only drive them away. Either trust in your product's quality or stay out of the business.
Cudgeon has been a resident troll here fir a while. I don't think I've seen a single non troll post from him yet.
Also, fuck ubisoft.
You know, when I got my laptop recently, I made sure it could play all the current games. I'm starting to regret it.
I wonder if Ubisoft will understand they're only pissing off people with restrictive DRM that only pushes consumers away.
Fuck it, I'm not buying any of your shitty games, Ubisoft. This DRM basically means that I wouldn't be able to play my legally purchased game after a couple of generations of hardware upgrades, which are inevitable because components break and sometimes you simply need to buy a new computer entirely.
I think, if I ever choose to play this game, that I'll go with the torrented, DRM-free option. I hear it's cheaper, too.
I don't pirate games, and I usually try to support developers by buying new instead of used, but this is bullshit.
The average gamer does not have a direct e-mail contact with video game developers for troubleshooting purposes.
And honestly, this is OLD news. Tech geeks warned about this type of DRM back when Microsoft instituted it with Windows XP.